Yuletide Transforms Into a Terrifying Experience for Misophonia Sufferers.
One young woman is looking forward to seeing her family during the festive period, but says a key strategy she'll manage to get through it is by using her hearing protection - particularly at the main festive feast.
In her case, the holidays often feels like a notably tough period as the sounds of people eating, drinking noisily and breathing heavily make her feel intense distress.
"I experience this wave of sudden panic, my whole body will just freeze and it feels like I'm in danger, and I need to stop these noises."
She has experienced this condition since she was 16 and for her that causes the holiday period "exceptionally stressful".
Misophonia is a reduced tolerance to specific noises, notably sounds coming from those around you.
It is prevalent amongst adults. Experts found a significant portion of people experience it.
Typically it's sounds associated with eating or drinking that trigger a reaction, along with things like chewing, breathing, and repetitive finger tapping.
Triggering Stress
Lottie says: "You encounter so many different triggering sounds at the holidays and that can be daunting and make you dread it.
"Those close to me are supportive, but I'm very aware that I don't want to upset others. It's like a really big battle of managing my symptoms to make sure others enjoy themselves."
So it's clear why the traditionally happy season can quickly turn into a source of agony for sufferers.
Triggers that may be considered normal, like someone slurping a Buck's fizz, rustling a roll of wrapping paper, or tucking into a Christmas dinner can provoke a powerful reaction that can even lead to them withdrawing from gatherings.
She, a young adult, who has dealt with sound sensitivity since aged 10, states the approach she intends to use is to put her earphones in to cope. On any other day, she would usually isolate herself in a different room to escape triggering sounds.
She explains her sensitivity is more intense around people she's most comfortable with, so the holidays is always "difficult".
"People assume you to be around loved ones, and I want to, but it's physically and mentally challenging.
"I feel as if this sudden rage comes over me, which can feel shameful, or I'll feel stressed and immediately start crying and then fight-or-flight will kick in.
"To others it appears as if I'm being unreasonable and melodramatic, but it's tough to describe if you haven't felt it."
A Few Techniques to Manage
If you suffer then there are a few methods you can try to cope the situation, as suggested by specialists.
- Visualise an Alternative: Creative thinking is key. Try to associate the triggering sound bothering you with an unrelated image. So for example, try to picture someone's noisy drinking is just a waterfall. By doing this is to teach your brain that the sound affecting you isn't harmful.
- Use Humor: Introduce playfulness and turn the annoying sound into a challenge with the person. As an example, if someone is crunching loudly attempt joining in. By mimicking, rather than feeling like the sound is unwanted, you become an active participant. And the game aspect should help shift your attention and make you somewhat less sensitive.
- Craft a Story: Another technique is to try to fabricate an explanation about why the person creating the sound is doing it. Imagine if someone was making a nasal sound, maybe they are not at their best or are troubled. This approach is altering the perception of the sound. Even though the sound doesn't change, your reaction of it shifts from being irritating, to feeling a bit more accepting about it.
